How Is Kundalini Yoga Different

Physical activities are still used, but they aren't the main focus. This is not the same as hatha or vinyasa yoga, which are both based on physical positions.

Kundalini yoga is also more precise and repetitious than other forms of yoga. Unlike other forms of yoga, Kundalini yoga incorporates chanting, singing, motions, and breathing into particular rhythms.

What makes Kundalini different from traditional yoga?

The physical poses of Kundalini yoga are derived from Hatha, which is the physical practice of yoga. The most significant distinction is that Kundalini yogis combine physical positions with mantras and breathing exercises. In comparison to Hatha yoga, Kundalini yoga places a greater emphasis on meditation and mantras.

Are there different types of Kundalini Yoga?

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and is very different from what you might see now.

In fact, it's intended to be a spiritual as well as a physical activity (if not more). The postures (asana) are merely one of the eight limbs of yoga, according to the eight limbs. The remainder is concerned with spiritual matters. Everything is based on ancient Tantric concepts that are supposed to assist you in living your best life.

They use the term “full” to refer to a fully conscious life. Kundalini yoga is the practice that will assist you in achieving this goal. This is why it is referred to as the ‘yoga of awareness or consciousness,' as it provides you with all of the tools necessary to achieve consciousness.

Kundalini yoga is not a traditional yoga practice. Though Kundalini energy was mentioned in the Upanishads, a collection of ancient Vedic books that serve as a form of historical chronicle of spiritual activity in India, its origins are unknown. As far as we know, Kundalini yoga was almost a covert discipline that was passed down from teacher to student for years. It was taught as a kind of ‘body science,' in which specific kriyas (or practices) helped the body prepare for energy movement throughout.

These teachings were subsequently passed down to Yogi Bhajan, who was in charge of putting them together into a disciplined practice and bringing it to the west.

Kundalini yoga, as we know it now, combines many yogic principles and mechanics to create a comprehensive practice that allows practitioners to not only commune with God but also experience the feeling of God in their minds (aka the awakening of Kundalini).

The first is Bhakti yoga, or devotional yoga, which is why chanting is so vital in the Kundalini process. The second is Raja yoga, which is a form of meditation that emphasizes mental strength and control. Shakti yoga, the highest expression of power, is the third.

These three types of yoga combine to form Kundalini yoga, which includes physical postures, intense meditation, pranayama breathing techniques, and chanting.

What is Kundalini Energy?

The use of narrative to express a concept, sentiment, or experience is one of the most beautiful aspects of Hinduism. The narrative of Shiva and Shakti, from which Kundalini energy derives, is the most beautiful (and basic) of all.

Shiva, the all-knowing and unwavering source of strength and consciousness, was said to have been in deep meditation for thousands of years. He sat in silent observation, the immovable observer that he was, while Shakti, who embodies holy force, danced for him. She yearned so much to be joined with him that she danced for thousands of years in the hopes of inciting Shiva to join her. In all of her longing, she felt as if the two of them belonged together.

He eventually awakens and joins her in a peaceful union, which is supposed to be how all of nature came into being.

Her heavenly energy, which has the potential to develop and grow, paired with his consistent source of power and consciousness, generated enough whirling energy for life to emerge.

Thanks to Shiva's motionless period of meditation, this life derives from a life force energy, or prana, that had previously been dormant. When a snake is dormant, it coils around itself, just like this life force energy does.

Prana rests coiled at the base of the spinal column, waiting for an awakening in Kundalini yoga. Kundalini yoga ‘dances' for our latent energy, dragging it upwards along the spinal column, finally waking Kundalini energy, much as Shakti danced for Shiva, pulling him out of his hibernation. Because it goes through seven major chakras as it moves up the spinal column, many Kundalini classes focus on the chakras. A stagnant or clogged chakra can obstruct energy flow and prevent you from awakening.

As a result, the entire process of Kundalini awakening entails a set of techniques that allow that energy to flow freely.

You might also be interested in: What Are Chakras And How Does Kundalini Energy Flow? Here's a whole breakdown of my thoughts.

Kundalini Awakening (And Kundalini Syndrome)

So, we've learned everything there is to know about prana, or life force energy. But what is a ‘awakening,' and what are the Kundalini symptoms?

The movement of energy is at the heart of the entire Kundalini process. Unless we take the time to awaken the energy, it will lie dormant in the Root Chakra (Muladhara), coiled up like a snake at the base of our spine.

We can awaken the sleeping serpent and generate movement by particular physical exercises and postures, breathing exercises (aka pranayama), chanting mantras, and meditation.

Movement for the sake of movement isn't always beneficial. When there is too much interruption, it can be a really unpleasant experience.

Consider the last time you experienced a major life change for which you were unprepared. Perhaps you changed jobs, ended a relationship, relocated, altered your diet… or all of the above! While these modifications may not be detrimental in the long run, they can be incredibly difficult to manage.

That's why, after a major breakup, so many people have a major soul-searching experience…

…because something deep inside them has been reawakened, and they have a desire to reconcile with it.

When we go on a Kundalini journey, we must be aware of the path that prana must follow to enter and exit our subtle energy body (basically, the energetic body that works within our physical body). This is accomplished through exercises, pranayama breathing, mantra chanting, and meditation.

Some of these techniques, known as kriyas, will leave you feeling completely relaxed and blissed out. Other times, it may elicit a reaction from you (aka Kundalini syndrome).

Because it's designed to awaken your ego, to bring it to light, to push your buttons, and to make you more conscious of it. And that isn't always a pleasant experience.

The first time I tried Kundalini yoga, I became quite frustrated and angry. My mind wanted to stop completing the yoga poses and breathing exercises, so I had an emotional breakdown in the middle of class…

…this is an exact mirror of how I deal with adversity in my life.

But this is Kundalini's power, and it's where many of the benefits of Kundalini converge. It illuminates all of the little monsters that cling to your mind and prevent you from progressing in any area of self-development.

The Kundalini kriya, which consists of various breathing methods, reciting mantras, and holding specific Kundalini yoga poses, is designed to unveil your ego and assist you in moving beyond it.

And when you can do that, when you can be an active observer of your life rather than a victim of it, that's when you've awakened.

What is Kundalini Yoga based on?

Kundalini yoga (kualin-yoga) is derived from kundalini, which is defined in Vedantic culture as dormant energy at the base of the spine that is activated (by yoga, blunt force trauma, breath work, or psychological trauma leading to spiritual awakening) and channeled upward through the chakras in the process of spiritual perfection. Kundalini is thought to be a power related with Shakti, the divine feminine. Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism have inspired Kundalini yoga as a yoga school. It gets its name from a concentration on kundalini energy awakening through frequent mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga, or meditation practice.

Can beginners do Kundalini Yoga?

While anyone can practice Kundalini yoga (unless they have a pre-existing medical problem), this kind of yoga is especially beneficial for those who want to combine a spiritual practice with a physical workout.

Although Kundalini yoga is a demanding practice, its physical and mental benefits make it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned yogis. There's a reason the discipline has exploded in popularity, attracting everyone from yoga aficionados to celebrities.

Is Kundalini Yoga physically challenging?

Much of Kundalini Yoga is both difficult and soothing in equal measure. Chemical responses in the body are triggered by the practice's fundamental science, resulting in palpable, dramatic transformations in your thinking, physical health, and daily life.

Why do you wear white for Kundalini Yoga?

Have you ever wondered why everyone in Kundalini classes wears white? Learn how it can help you feel better no matter what style you use.

Colors, according to Yogi Bhajan, the master of Kundalini Yoga, have an effect on awareness. White, like a prism, is a balance of all colors, thus it has a special effect on the conscious and subconscious minds.

“We ask you to wear white so that you will reflect what is outside and go within yourself—that's what white clothes can do for you.” —Yogi Bhajan, 1975

Wearing all white clothing increases one's auric brilliance by at least one foot, he advised his students. This is said to strengthen one's individuality while also acting as a filter against bad influences from the outside world.

Wearing white is also a form of meditation in and of itself, as keeping white clothes clean necessitates greater concentration and care. “The most difficult thing on the globe is to wear white from head to toe; white is the finest therapy,” he once said. So, whatever type of yoga you do, consider following Kundalini's lead and ditching your standard-issue black leggings in favor of something lighter. Here are a few suggestions.

What are the dangers of Kundalini Yoga?

So, what's not to enjoy about that? B.K.S. Iyengar Swami Vivekananda, a yogi, compares the nervous system to an electrical system, including wire (nerves), circuits (chakras), and gates (locks) (bandhas). A Kundalini power surge, like any other electrical system, can disrupt the grid, causing serious mental and physical sickness. While the channels Kundalini flows through are broadly correlated with the neurological system, Kundalini is a subtle energy form that cannot be tested like normal nerve circulation.

Can you do Kundalini yoga everyday?

The greater the number, the better. It is recommended that you practice Kundalini for at least a few minutes each day. For the fastest development and to maintain good shifts in your consciousness, we recommend attending sessions 3-4 times per week if at all possible. Even once a week of practice will make a difference in your life.

What religion is Kundalini?

Kundalini, according to William F. Williams, is a Hindu religious experience in which it is believed to be a form of “cosmic energy” that gathers at the base of the spine.

Kundalini is said to rise up from the muladhara chakra, through the central nadi (called sushumna) inside or alongside the spine, to the top of the head when it is awakened. Kundalini is thought to move through the chakras, achieving various levels of awakening and mystical experiences until it reaches the summit of the head, the Sahasrara or crown chakra, where it produces an incredibly deep shift in consciousness.

What language is used in Kundalini Yoga?

The ten Sikh Gurus created the Gurmukhi language. It's a mash-up of several languages designed to trigger the meridian points on your tongue's roof. Sikh texts are lovely tributes to God and the Universe written in Gurmukhi.

The word Gurmukhi literally means “from the guru's mouth,” or “from the guru's spoken word.” If you read the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, you'll come across the term Gurmukh, which refers to someone who speaks consciously as opposed to unconsciously. When we speak, chant, or sing Gurmukhi words, they are strong to the extent that we repeat them with reverence and dedication. Because of the tone and frequency with which Gurmukhi words vibrate, they are extremely strong. Words in Gurmukhi do not require definitions; instead, they must be repeated. Furthermore, by noticing how the sounds influence and co-create with his or her own interior journey and increasing consciousness, the one who repeats them develops wise.

Sat Nam means “genuine vibration” in Sanskrit. When Guru Nanak emerged from three days submerged in the River Vaee, he said this word for the first time. When you chant Sat Nam, you unite yourself with your destiny.

Har: This is a word for the heart's voice, as well as a name for God. The tip of the tongue strikes the roof of the mouth when we recite Har, making it sound more like HUD. This is a sound that activates the navel and brings kundalini energy to the surface.

Wahe Guru is the wisdom of present-moment happiness. This is an ecstatic expression.

Siri: This is a strong, creative sound for a woman. Its simple meaning is “great,” yet it is also a moniker for someone who is revered.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib: This is a sacred teacher for all beings; the holy sound stream creates a knot in your mind that connects you to Divine consciousness. We bow to it as a living entity who has given us these mantras, this heritage, and this tradition. For Sikhism devotees, it is referred to as the sacred literature. It is a Guru who is still alive.

Guru is a combination of the words gu and ru, which signifies “darkness” and “light.” A guru is someone who helps us go from darkness to light.

Guru Ong Namo Dev Namo: There is only one united creation, and I bow to it as the holy guru. I surrender my ego to the Creator's and Creation's wisdom. I acknowledge the wisdom that exists inside myself and all things.

Guru Nanak chanted the Japji Sahib, which is a long spiritual poetry or hymn. It's the music that kicks off the Aquarian Sadhana. It's a potent instrument for uniting individual consciousness with heavenly consciousness.

One Universal Creator/Creation (Ek Ong Kaar). This expression evokes a sense of oneness, of unity between the Creator and the rest of creation.

After the Gurdwara service, the seekers are offered prasaad, which is a sweet dish.

Amrit Vela: This is the finest time for a yogi to rise from sleep and practice between the hours of 3 and 7 a.m.